International
Lifetime achievement award to John Woo
MUMBAI: Director John Woo, who helmed big-budget blockbuster Mission Impossible II is preparing for a third phase of his career and wants to be a bridge between the good things of the West and the East “so that we can further our mutual knowledge and build a strong friendship.”
The acclaimed director was awarded a Golden Lion award for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Film Festival that recognised the director “as an innovator of the contemporary language of cinema.”
Woo, 64, has directed more than 26 films in his nearly 30 years in the industry, beginning his career in Hong Kong in the 1970s before moving to Hollywood in the 1990s.
He has directed notable films like Hard Target, Broken Arrow and Mission Impossible II among others.
Venice Film Festival director Marco Mueller says that Woo‘s films are “a perfect union of the China tradition and avant-garde filmmaking. I don‘t think we are bestowing an honor. I think it was here waiting for him.
Woo recently directed the epic period war drama Red Cliff based on a war that took place in China in the 3rd Century. He has said that it was about time to bring everything he learned over 16 years working in Hollywood, back to China.
International
Russia-India cinematic spectacle Persimmon of My Love set for grand Moscow debut
Hindi cinema style musical revives Indo-Soviet cinema ties for today
MUMBAI: A new chapter in cross-border storytelling is set to unfold as Persimmon of My Love gears up for its premiere in Moscow on 1 April 2026, marking the first large-scale cinematic collaboration between Russia and India in decades.
Positioned as a modern nod to the cultural exchange that once brought Indian classics to Soviet audiences, the film blends Hindi cinema flair with Russian storytelling, aiming to rekindle a long-standing cinematic friendship.
Directed by Marius Weisberg, the musical comedy follows two brothers navigating a lively world of music, family and romance. The lead roles are played by Demis Karibidis and Mikhail Galustyan, with Karibidis also contributing as a screenwriter.
Shot entirely in India, the production leans heavily into Hindi cinema style spectacle. Filming took place across Mumbai studios and the cities of Udaipur and Jodhpur, whose architecture was used to create the fictional setting of Khurmada. A crew of over 350 worked on the project, with large-scale sequences featuring up to 1,000 extras.
The film also brings Indian creative talent into the mix. Dance sequences are choreographed by Jay Kumar, while music by Zurab Matua features songs in both Hindi and Russian, adding to its cross-cultural appeal.
Backed by TNT channel, MyWayStudio and the Russian Cinema Fund, the project reflects a broader push to strengthen cultural ties between the two countries.
With its mix of colour, comedy and cross-border collaboration, Persimmon of My Love is not just a film release but a reminder that cinema, much like music, travels well across borders.
